Drugs took my son’s life, says Easton woman

The mother of bank robbery suspect shot by police says he was a loving son who could not beat his addiction.

Vicki-Ann Downing

David A. Semenza Jr. battled heroin addiction for years, a drug habit that began with using the powerful painkiller OxyContin, according to his mother and police.

The 20-year-old Easton resident’s struggle ended Thursday on a street in Mansfield, when Semenza was fatally shot by police after he and an alleged accomplice fled a bank robbery.

Now, Semenza’s mother, Jacqueline Shea, says she wants people to know that her son was a victim too, an addict desperate to get drugs.

“He was not what people might think,” said Shea. “People think (young people with addictions) are no good and out there robbing banks. Our kids are dying because of the drugs. Our kids are dying because of addictions.”

Easton Police Detective Michael Fox said both Semenza and George F. “Buddy” Moore, the alleged bank-robbery accomplice, have been known to police since they were juveniles.

Semenza, who grew up in Easton, may have been involved in other recent bank robberies in the area, Fox said.

Moore, who moved to Easton while in junior high school, was arrested in September on charges that he broke into more than a dozen vehicles in Easton, stealing tools, cell phones, iPods, books and sunglasses.

“It’s all drug-related,” said Fox.

Fox said Semenza had battled a heroin addiction for years that began with his use of OxyContin.

Reached by telephone on Friday, Semenza’s mother said she was a member of Learn to Cope, the support group for parents of drug-addicted young people.

“My son was a loving son,” said Shea, her voice breaking. “He was a gentleman. He was a very good boy and he will be very sorely missed.

“I want people to remember him as a fine young man with an addiction that took his life,” Shea said. “He is a statistic. But he was a handsome, smart and loving young man, and he was very much loved.”

Joanne Peterson, the founder of Learn to Cope, spoke about drug addiction Thursday during a seminar for social workers at Bridgewater State College.

The bank robbery and shooting occurred just hours later.

Peterson said Friday she was broken-hearted for Semenza’s mother.

“She’s tried and her family has tried so hard, and (Semenza) tried so hard” to overcome his addiction, said Peterson.

“This drug takes beautiful children away from a family,” Peterson said. “That boy at one time was her beautiful boy, just like my beautiful boy or other people’s beautiful girls.

“He was a beautiful kid with a beautiful future,” said Peterson. “The drug makes people slaves.”

“People will say he was an addict. He wasn’t always an addict. He’s just a victim like so many others of a terrible situation. This family is so devastated. We’re all devastated.”

Police believe Semenza robbed the bank while Moore drove the getaway car. Authorities say police shot Semenza when he made “furtive” motions, seeming to reach for something, and failed to comply with police orders.

The shooting took place in front of a day-care center and was witnessed by neighbors and passersby.

Money from the robbery was found at the scene, along with clothing worn by the robbers, police said.

Fox, the police detective, said Shea and Semenza’s father, David Semenza, also of Easton, tried for years to help their son conquer his drug addiction.

“They have always been supportive,” Fox said. “They have always tried to get him help.”